We’re halfway through the week! Woop!
I felt like I was running around like a crazy lady yesterday – lots of trips to and from the gym for work, my 20-week prenatal appointment (everything went well and baby’s heartbeat sounded amazing – 146 bpm!), Girls On The Run, etc.
Ryan and I both made it home a little later than usual last night and since neither of us wanted to spend a ton of time on dinner, I scrounged around our pantry, fridge and freezer and came up with a random hodgepodge meal that somehow worked!
I made a ridiculously simple veggie bowl by combining the following:
- Black Beans
- Mixed Frozen Veggies
- Seeds of Change Whole Grains
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
I picked up the pre-cooked whole grains at Fresh Market a little while ago as a fast and easy alternative to brown rice and since the grains were already seasoned well, I didn’t really have to do much to amp up the flavor of our veggie bowls.
I simply microwaved the whole grains and frozen veggies and rinsed and drained the black beans, stirred everything together and topped the bowls with cheese before microwaving them for a little while longer.
To quote Ryan, “The cheese was the best part!”
But isn’t it always?
Today
Today began with an awesomely challenging Pure Barre workout! I’ve been making it to the studio much more regularly this month since I’ve been feeling a lot better in the mornings and I’m loving it.
Today’s class was a booty kicker and the stretch after the workout felt great. Sometimes I wish Pure Barre incorporated Savasana at the end of class… But then again, I think every workout should end that way! I should probably take this strong desire for Savasana as a sign that I need to incorporate some more yoga into my life. (Yes, lying still on the mat at the end of a sweaty yoga workout is absolutely my favorite part of class… Especially when the teacher has a lovely message to share that really resonates with me.) I actually started researching prenatal yoga classes around me last week and hope to attend one soon!
Breakfast
Once I made it home, I broke into my second banana of the day (I ate the first on the way to Pure Barre) and used it to make one of my favorite breakfast bowls: Egg White Oatmeal!
I added almond butter and lots of cinnamon to the mix which made it taste fantastic! I served my bowl of oats with two clementines and a decaf caramel almond milk latte that I nabbed from Madalyn’s on my way home.
Now I have a few blog-related things to wrap up before I am taking the rest of the day off from work at the gym to hang out with my childhood best friend, Kristen!
Kristen and I have been friends since first grade when she volunteered to take me on a tour of our elementary school after I moved to Palatine, Illinois. The last time I saw her was during her wedding weekend over the summer! Kristen is in town for the day and I’m so happy we’ll have the opportunity to spend some quality time together!
Have a great Wednesday, my friends! I have a post scheduled to go up later this afternoon, so I’ll see ya then!
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Thanks for sharing the meal idea. I’m all about simple, easy, and fast – bonus points if it’s also budget-friendly! 🙂
totally agree — this one is definitely cheap, too!!
Microwave grains are my favorite! I’ll have to see if my Fresh Market carries those. Anything cheap and under 5 ingredients is my kind of dinner!
they have a ton of different varieties — now i want to pick up some more!
I am all about those quick meals to throw together on busy nights, this sounds great!
Yum! I love how you are so good at throwing things together like that… I am totally a follow-a-recipe person and NOT creative in the kitchen! Need to work on that 🙂
Those seeds of change rice packets are my go to for simple sides to meals! Love them
It’s amazing how sometimes the best meals are what you just throw in! I call it garbage meals (so appetizing I know), but they’re a lifesaver on weeknights when I can’t even look at my oven.
That kind of dinner is pretty much all I eat these days! 🙂
I am all about quick and easy dinners! Black beans, veggies, and cheese always seem to make it into my quick dinners, too! Yay for being able to spend time with childhood friends!!
I might have to try out that easy dinner..also seems like it would work for lunch! I always have tons of black beans laying around so I’m always looking for new ways to use them 🙂
caramel almond milk latte?! #yesplease
Oh, that dinner looks quite good and without a ton of prep…WIN!
Mmmm simple and delicious, my favorite!
I keep seeing a variety of Seeds of Change at our local grocery store and Walmart and have been tempted to buy them but I wasn’t sure if they were good or not. Next grocery trip I’m picking some up to try them out. So many times I make a stirfry and am about to serve and realize that I forgot to make rice … these would definitely help in those situations.
same here!!! that’s actually what inspired me to buy them in the first place!
Yum! I’ve been on clean out the pantry/freezer mode lately so a lot our meals have looked like that too. It is nice to keep things like that around the house so you always have something to eat, even if it isn’t’ the best ever… at least it is not takeout!
I am going to have to use that meal for some easy lunches for work! You made me think of my favorite yoga teacher who at the end would come around to everyone in shivasina and would rub some eucalypyus and peppermint oil on our temples. It took shivasina to a whole new level! I think people went to her class just for that.
Btw congrats on your pregnancy! I have a baby boy too (just turned a year) and we live in Raleigh. I saw you came to raleigh to visit your grandma recently. If you guys ever need a resource in Raleigh to borrow baby things while you are visiting or find baby friendly places, etc feel free to reach out! We are dog friendly too (we have a carolina dog but have an aunt with 2 vizslas that are super fun)!
thank you so much, sarah!! i am hoping to make it to raleigh a bunch! my aunt is throwing me a small baby shower there so my grandma can attend, so i’ll be back in the area soon! i’m definitely hoping to bring the baby there to meet my grandma after he’s born as well. 🙂
I wish all workouts ended like that too! haha 😉
Simple, budget friendly and looks delicious! Sign me up! I’ll definitely be picking the items to make this. My husband, Ryan, works in Finance, and during closing weeks he gets home super late, so a quick meal is highly desirable! Thanks, Julie!
That veggie bowl looks so good and crazy easy! I might need to try that- dinners with a 6 month old get a little creative here, too.
I had the same thoughts about yoga after taking my first Pure Barre class this weekend. I don’t stretch enough and I might have the tightest hips ever. Thanks for the extra boost to try yoga again!
Sometimes it’s those quick and easy meals that are the best!
Easy weeknight dinners are great! They totally take the stress out of the cooking. Enjoy your day!
LOVE ridiculously simple weeknight dinners 🙂 🙂
I love easy dinners that come together and taste great. I probably will do one of those tonight 😉
Yesssss love super easy meals that come together quickly! Sometimes I think we’d starve without our microwave 😉
I’m a big fan of the microwaveable packets of brown rice/grains… they make it so easy to put together a full meal in minutes! I usually buy the frozen plain brown rice in the steamable packet (I forget the brand, but it’s in the freezer section in a blue package), or Uncle Ben’s microwaveable brown rice.
That dinner looks so good, and easy!! Have fun with your best friend!
Kim
http://trendkeeper.me .. ONE MONTH! Who’s with me?!
That company also makes a quinoa and brown rice blend that I got from Costco. It is so quick and is ready in 90 seconds! I love using as a base for dinners when I don’t know what Im going to make 🙂
What a great idea for a quick dinner! I’ll be doing this with the microwavable single serving brown rice I bought last week at the grocery store. Glad to hear the baby is doing well! I so enjoy reading your blog, it is so fun to share in your excitement and happiness. Congratulations again!
i feel like the older i get, the more valuable girl time becomes — especially when good friends live far away. have so much fun!
Very and simple dinner and looks delicious! Have a great time hanging out with your bestie!
I love that Seeds of Change mix – FYI, they sell it in packs of 8 packages at Costco!
Ummm … do you have to rinse the beans? I never do that step. 🙁
I think I know what’s for dinner tonight 😉 I love those seeds of change packets! I buy the quinoa ones at Costco and usually just throw in peices of chicken.
http://www.morningappleblog.com
Dumb question … since we Canadians do not have a product such as 2% milk cheese does that mean the cheese is 2% milk fat or made from 2% milk vs. cream?
Love this quick dinner idea! I’ve actually been making a similar version of that type of dish for myself lately. I usually do a mix of black beans and frozen corn (I should pick up a mix soon though – yours looks great!) and then microwave it and top it with cheese (shredded or even gorgonzola) and then some SALSA. Yes, the salsa definitely makes the dish for me! I’ve also been adding some guacamole (100 calorie packs for the win!) and tortilla chips on the side.
I have never had microwave grains before. I will have to look for some! Have a wonderful day with your friend, Julie!
I love easy dinners like that! I make variations on similar taco bowls a lot because you can pretty much use anything that you have!
I’m ALL about the super simple dinners lately, so I’m definitely taking note of this! Sounds so easy and delicious – can’t beat that!! Enjoy your afternoon with your friend! How great you guys are able to catch up for the day!
That dinner looks so yummy and simple! However, I would probably have to make it on a night when my hubby wasn’t home because he won’t eat anything if it doesn’t have meat in it haha!
you will LOVE prenatal yoga!!! I started around 19 weeks, it was my favorite part of my pregnancy. good luck!
http://kelocity.com/2012/08/28/how-prenatal-yoga-changed-my-life/
Just discovered your blog! I live in NC too and our dogs look very similar 🙂 Love your posts & I’m excited to be following you!
Hey, I’m from Palatine, Illinois!
Hiiii! 🙂 Loved growing up there!
I am all about easy to make meals that you can throw together in a jiffy. Great combo with the cheese and beans! Add some taco seasoning and BAM! CHIPTOLE.
LOVE that idea!!!
That dinner looks amazing! Have fun with your girlfriend!
I am so inspired by everything you get done in a day, even now being pregnant! And I love when you share quick recipes that also look and sound amazing. Your blog was definitely an inspiration for me to finally start my own and I want to thank you for being so friendly and giving (through the interwebs)!
Thank YOU for reading, Sarah!!! <3 <3